2018 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled Review

THE OFFROAD HERO.

2018 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled REVIEW BY TOTAL MOTORCYCLE

The Scrambler® Desert Sled Black Edition is a special version that adds a stamp of personality to the off-road character. The name Desert Sled refers to standard motorcycles over 500 cc that were modified by riders for use in the Californian desert with knobby tyres, reinforced suspensions, spoked wheels and engine protection plates to protect the bike against the debris of impassable desert roads. The Scrambler® Desert Sled Black Edition evokes this spirit exactly, accented by a colour that pays tribute to the 1980s, the golden era of enduro motorbikes.

The name Desert Sled refers to standard motorcycles over 500 cc that were modified by riders for use in the Californian desert with knobbly tyres, reinforced suspensions, spoked wheels and engine protection plates to protect the bike against the debris of impassable desert roads. The Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled perfectly reflects this spirit without forgetting lifestyle values, and expands the Ducati Scrambler family with a new version dedicated to off-road style.

Desert Sled inherits the Urban Enduro logo as it is its explicit evolution. In fact, it is to its strong offroad character that we owe the new riding position characterised by a higher seat, a reinforced frame and fully adjustable suspension, the presence of a type-approved grid on the front headlight, the engine protection, and with the new Pirelli ScorpionTM Rally STR tyres with spoked wheels 19” front / 17” rear.

The Land of Joy

The Ducati Scrambler is a contemporary bike that expresses the pure essence of motorcycling. Tried and tested materials such as the aluminium of the rear swingarm and engine covers and the steel of the teardrop tank and frame are combined with new-generation components such as front and rear LED lighting and LCD instruments.

Wide handlebars and a long seat provide a comfortable, relaxed riding position and, together with the low weight, low centre of gravity and slightly knobby tyres, ensure pure riding fun whatever the situation.

The Icon version, in yellow, red and Silver Ice, is joined by two others – Full Throttle, Street Classic and Classic – each offering its own style and performance-related interpretation of the Ducati Scrambler spirit. The Full Throttle is for riders enthralled by the flat-track racing world who have a penchant for pushing things to the limit. The Street Classic and Classic are for devotees to details and a 1970s look who want the uncompromising riding pleasure and comfort of a modern-day bike.

Self expression

Ducati Scrambler is self expression and the Full Throttle, Street Classic and Classic versions offer some great ways of expressing yourself even better. They represent a starting point, providing examples of what the Ducati Scrambler is all about.

Creative, youthful and spirited, the new Ducati Scrambler is more than just a motorcycle, it is a new brand that enhances creativity, self-expression and the sharing of positive emotions. It is a universe of fun, joy and freedom made of motorcycles, accessories and apparel.

When the Ducati Design Center started working on the Ducati Scrambler the goal immediately became a very clear one: to revive a legend while, simultaneously, building a truly modern bike. A new bike inspired by the iconic 70s model but with all the technical specifications of a present-day one. That’s why, for example, the bike features an upside down stanchion fork, alloy rims, a rear monoshock, and front radial-mount calipers.

Everything on the Ducati Scrambler has been designed to be as “Ducati” as possible while remaining faithful to the style of its inspiring predecessor. Firstly, there’s the tank, sculptural and lovingly shaped yet loyal to the original teardrop design of the 70s model, including the ‘upward sloping’ look. Additional character is provided by the tank side covers: made of brushed aluminium, they’re interchangeable to allow plenty of scope for personalisation and feature version-specific logos.

Seat and tank have been formed carefully to give the Ducati Scrambler eye-pleasing proportions. A compact bike, the Ducati Scrambler instils confidence from the moment you set eyes on it. It’s been sized to make it accessible to all motorcyclists while its long seat maximises comfort and can accommodate a passenger comfortably, because the Ducati Scrambler is all about sharing too.

A great deal of thought has gone into every detail on the Ducati Scrambler, including the ultra-modern rear swingarm and the exhaust pipe routing, a layout that echoes the look seen on the latest Ducati nakeds. The short silencer and the rear mudguard tip have been designed to make the bike more compact, as have the passenger grab handles, hidden by the openings on the upper part of the seat.

Redesigned for the present day, the round headlamp is a key part of the Ducati Scrambler look. Ultra-modern LED light guide technology (used for the side lights) underlines the outstanding level of technical expertise. The filler cap, which sports the inscription “born free – 1962”, reflects the closure system in vogue in the 70s; similarly, the key, once inserted in the switchgear on the headlamp unit, recalls the design of the original light switch. Under-seat moulding provides another 70s design throwback.

Components

Lighting

Together with the fuel tank, the front headlamp is one of the most characteristic features of the Ducati Scrambler. Round, classically designed yet contemporary – that is, post-heritage – it has a glass front with a modern, LED-powered light guide around the rim (this acts as a side light). When on, it recalls the popular 70s stratagem of applying protective adhesive tape to off-road bike headlights. The high-beam function is performed by a single bulb hidden behind a Ducati-logoed screen. Moreover, the contrast between the cold white side light and warm yellow headlamp gives the Ducati Scrambler yet another personality boost.

At the rear, instead, lies a full-LED unit. This gives off a suffused light and features a technology unprecedented on motorcycles; this ‘soft’ effect is, in fact, achieved by combining an opaque light-diffusing lens with a 12-LED electrical card (18 LEDs when the brake is applied).

The bulb-powered indicators – positioned to the sides of the headlamp and on the rear mudguard – match the Scrambler style to perfection. Ducati Scrambler riders are also provided with a hazard light function, activated simply by holding down the left indicator button for three seconds.

Instrumentation

The Ducati Scrambler instrument panel consists of a single, round unit positioned above and slightly to the right of the headlamp. Fully digital, it has an engine rpm scale resonant of those seen on ‘70s motorcycle speedometers (i.e. in the lower part of the instrument body). As engine revs increase the digits light up clockwise (right to left). Ducati Scrambler instrumentation also features two trip odometers and one total-mileage odometer, a trip fuel indicator, an air temperature display, maintenance reminders, a clock, and fuel reserve and ABS warning lights. Riders can also count on an engine oil pressure warning light, high beam indicator, neutral indicator, turn signal indicators, immobilizer and over-rev warning light.

Controls

Post-heritage styling is also evident on Ducati Scrambler controls. The wide handlebars house a classic wire-connected twist-grip throttle together with an axial-pump front brake lever with 4 different position settings. Minimalist Ducati Scrambler design continues with the cable-actuating clutch lever. The switchgear is characterised by the now-standard yet exclusive “trigger catch” that slides down to cover the starter button when the kill switch is activated. It’s the same one used on all Ducati bikes, its high tech design underscoring the post-heritage style of the Ducati Scrambler.

An oil cooled L-twin two-valve Euro 4 803 cc engine powers the Ducati Scrambler. Derived from the Monster 796 engine, it has an 88 mm bore, a 66 mm stroke and has been redesigned to give smooth acceleration throughout the rev range. The Desmodue engine on the Ducati Scrambler has light machine-finished aluminium covers, including those on the clutch and alternator. The two belt covers are also made of aluminium and have, likewise, been machine-finished to enhance aesthetics.

To ensure smooth integration with the compact steel teardrop tank, the Desmodue engine on the Ducati Scrambler features a single 50 mm throttle body with two sub-butterfly injectors: this solution ensures fluid power delivery and accurate control of the fuel being aspirated into the cylinders.

Pistons and crankshaft are the same as those on the Monster 796 and Hypermotard 796 power units, while the camshafts have been designed to ensure linear power delivery thanks to the adoption of an 11° valve overlap angle. The 2-in-1 exhaust with aluminium silencer has been specially designed for the Ducati Scrambler. It features an aluminium heat plate for improved rider protection and is EURO 3 compliant.

The gearbox is a 6-speed unit while the multiplate APTC oil bath clutch with cable actuation, while emphasising the minimalist nature of the Ducati Scrambler, provides a light-touch brake lever with outstanding ‘feel’, a real plus point when it comes to the continuous stop-and-go of inner city traffic. Moreover, it features a torque-linked anti-hopping system that prevents rear wheel chatter when downshifting.

The twin-cylinder Desmodue engine on the Ducati Scrambler has been designed to favour smooth running and fluid acceleration throughout the rev range, putting out 75 hp (55.2 kW) @ 8,250 rpm and 50.2 lb-ft (6.9 kgm) of torque @ 5,750 rpm. Just like the Ducati Scrambler itself, it is designed to be simple and accessible and also features generous 12,000 kilometres maintenance intervals.

Desmo delight

The Ducati Scrambler is iconic, as is the celebrated Ducati Desmo, the engine valve closure system that has made Ducati famous all over the world. This system opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves positively and precisely, using a system of cams and levers. The term desmodromic stems from the Greek words desmos (link) and dromos (stroke); mechanically speaking, the term refers to mechanisms with a control to operate them in one direction (e.g. opening) and another which acts in the opposite direction (closure or return).

However, the desmodromic concept is not a recent one and has been used in the motorcycle and car industries for some time. It first appeared, in a variety of forms, way back at the start of the twentieth century. In 1956 renowned engineer Fabio Taglioni set Ducati off along the desmodromic path: the first bike to feature the solution was the Grand Prix 125, which had three overhead camshafts, driven by a vertical shaft and a bevel gear.

From that point on desmodromic history became a Ducati exclusive and in 1968 the company started producing this timing system as standard with the Mark 3 Desmo 350. This milestone of a motorcycle essentially had the same timing system as current 2-valve twin cylinder engines like the one on the Ducati Scrambler, clear evidence of the concept’s soundness. Used on all Ducati models, the system is also employed on Ducati Corse’s Superbikes and Desmosedici MotoGP bikes.

Chassis

Frame

The Ducati Scrambler features a twin upper spar steel Trellis frame. Essential and elegant, the Ducati Scrambler frame embraces the engine and extends beneath the seat, providing the stiffness one expects from a real Ducati. Thanks to a steering head angle of 24° and a 112 mm offset on the fork yokes, manoeuvrability is outstanding both in city traffic and on Alpine hairpins. Thanks to the wide handlebars, weaving your way through the urban obstacle course on a Ducati Scrambler is child’s play, while the 1445 mm wheelbase maximises stability at high speeds. The steel fuel tank, with that unmistakeable teardrop contour, has a capacity of 13.5 l (3.6 US gal). With an excellent frame and outstanding chassis geometry, the Ducati Scrambler makes for relaxed riding that is easy yet fun. User-friendly and agile, the Ducati Scrambler is a source of endless satisfaction on both city streets and the open road.

Suspension

The Kayaba suspension system on the Ducati Scrambler makes use of a 41 mm upside down stanchion fork and a monoshock with adjustable spring preload. Both provide 150 mm of wheel travel, ensuring the tyres hug the ground whatever the terrain, from city streets to undemanding off-road routes. It is this mix of comfort and performance that makes the Ducati Scrambler unique, letting riders express themselves to the maximum everywhere and anywhere.

Wheels and tyres

All new aluminium 10-spoke wheels – of evident flat-track origin – come as standard on the Ducati Scrambler. The design is a throwback to the days of thin, criss-crossed spokes inserted in the hub. The 3’’ x 18’’ front rim and the rear 5.5’’ x 17’’ one have been designed to be light and mount the new enduro-type Pirelli MT60 RS 110/80 ZR18 tyre at the front and the 180/55 ZR17 at the rear; featuring a chunky tread pattern, these tyres are produced exclusively for the Ducati Scrambler. The result is outstanding performance on surfaces of any kind.

Brembo braking system with 2-channel ABS

The Ducati Scrambler features Brembo braking using the Bosch 9.1 MP AMS system with an internal pressure sensor. To combine maximum stopping performance with minimalist styling the front wheel has a single 330 mm disc, no less than 5 mm thick, with a 4-piston Brembo M 4.32B monobloc radial-mount caliper. This heavy duty single-disc front brake solution was chosen to leave a clear view of the wheel design on the right. At the back, instead, a 245 mm disc is gripped by a caliper with a 32 mm piston.

A bit of history

The Scrambler was designed following a request from the Berliner brothers, the US importers of Ducati bikes in the 1960s. They wanted a bike that would suit the tastes of American bikers. Initial contact was established by Giorgio Monetti – famous for his round-the-world ride together with Leopoldo Tartarini – who was then Sales Manager at Ducati. It was agreed that the bike would have to be extremely practical and the design work was entrusted to Renzo Neri, who, even though he was Technical Department Manager at the time, was known to have a skilled hand: the designs for the tank, seat and mudguards are, in fact, his. The first Scrambler went into production in 1962 and was modified uninterruptedly until 1968, when the real “long engine cover” Scramblers appeared, followed by the 250 and 350 versions and, in 1969, the 450.

The first Scrambler series included some bikes with desmodromic cylinder heads and was the subject of continuous technical adjustments until production was discontinued in 1975. For a variety of reasons, the Scrambler was an enormous success. First of all, it embodied the rebellious, unconventional spirit of the time. It also had an exceptional frame, good enough to even be used on the racetrack. Also, it had a purpose-built engine, and great overall performance with a perfect central riding position made it one of the most enjoyable bikes of the period. Last but not least, it was cool: rounded lines with a hint of both classic and modern blended seamlessly with the bright colouring, which stood out against the black chassis setup and chrome tank.

The first Scrambler model is universally acknowledged as the meeting point between the American and European schools of motorcycling. A bike that defined an era, it became a Ducati milestone in much the same way that the 916 and Monster later would.

**The power values indicated above are measured using a chassis dynamometer. Homologated power data, as quoted in the Bike Registration Document, are measured using an engine dynamometer according to the homologation regulation. The two power values may differ because of the different measurement equipments.

**The power values indicated above are measured using a chassis dynamometer. Homologated power data, as quoted in the Bike Registration Document, are measured using an engine dynamometer according to the homologation regulation. The two power values may differ because of the different measurement equipments.

**The power values indicated above are measured using a chassis dynamometer. Homologated power data, as quoted in the Bike Registration Document, are measured using an engine dynamometer according to the homologation regulation. The two power values may differ because of the different measurement equipments.

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